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Alex Noppe - Jazz Improvisation 1 PDF
Alex Noppe - Jazz Improvisation 1 PDF
Jazz Improvisation
Handbook
1
1. Practice Fundamentals
2. Technical Practice
3. Play Music!
4. Listen
1. Fundamentals. This is the bread and butter of your practice routine, and is the
first thing that you practice every day. Listen to almost all great jazz players
(especially those of the modern era) and you will notice one thing in common –
they all play their instrument extremely well. I cannot over-stress the importance
of this part of your practice, particularly in the early stages of your musical
development.
This is the time where you learn how to use your tools and perfect your technique.
Anything that you might ever need to play creative and inspiring jazz must be
worked on here, including sound, pitch, time, range, dynamics, breath control,
finger dexterity, extended techniques, and anything else that you will help you
excel on your instrument.
2. Technical Work. This type of work is where you develop your vocabulary
and is encompasses most of our work in a jazz improvisation class. Stick to
mostly jazz-related practicing here, including scales, arpeggios, modes, patterns,
licks, and anything else that you can think of that will give you a more complete
“toolbox.” There are literally hundreds of books full of examples of this sort of
thing (find them in the Jamey Aebersold catalog at www.jazzbooks.com). A
couple of the best are Jerry Coker’s Patterns for Jazz and David Baker’s Modern
Concepts in Jazz Improvisation
It is especially important for you to be creative in this type of practice. It is
extremely easy to get bored playing nothing but scales and patterns all day, which
is the last thing you would want. Anything that you can do to create interest in
this type of practice will greatly help you. Play scales forwards and backwards, in
different intervals, and starting on each note. Practice technique with play-along
records. Trade off scales and patterns with a friend. Make up games to challenge
yourself. Work on soloing over songs using only one specific technique at a time.
3. Play! At this point, you’re just working on music, so turn your brain off and
leave all the technical work in the practice room. If you’ve worked on it enough,
you’ll have the licks when you need them. Fundamentally, jazz is about making a
creative musical statement and sounding different than anyone else, which is hard
to do if you’re simply combining different patterns in a practiced or calculated
way. Try to say something emotional with your music. Tell a story!
Again, there are many different ways to work on music so mix it up and keep
yourself interested. Play with play-alongs (the best being the 100+ volumes in the
Aebersold series) and computer programs like Band-in-a-Box. Perform along
with actual recordings—use headphones or turn the volume up enough so that it
sounds like you’re actually in the band. Even better, play live with other people.
Put together jam sessions. Grab a piano player and play tunes together. Find any
opportunity to actually play music, and the more talented the other players, the
more you will learn. Remember, all the technique in the world matters little if
you can’t make music.
4. Listen Actively. Jazz is one of the few forms of music where not only is it
okay to imitate others, it is often considered an honor. If a picture is worth a
thousand words, a recording is worth a thousand textbooks in terms of the sheer
amount that you can learn. Your jazz collection should be constantly expanding,
so look to sources such as used-CD stores and Ebay for cheap recordings. It is
generally not enough to just have music going while you are in the car or
otherwise occupied—set aside actual time for dedicated listening. Better yet,
listen with a friend and discuss what you hear.
Included with this is transcription. Learn solos and melodies both by writing
them down and by learning by ear and playing on your instrument. When
transcribing, try to learn everything that the artist is doing, not just notes and
rhythms. Some of the most inspiring moments I have ever had were during live
performances, so seek these out any chance you get. From local groups at clubs
and coffee shops to major artists performing in concert halls, there is constantly
jazz going on around you. Listen!
F Major
Bb Major
Db Major
Gb Major
B Major
D Major
G Major
Practice Orders
Circle of 4ths C - F - Bb - Eb - Ab - Db - Gb - B - E - A - D - G
Half Steps C - Db - D - Eb - E - F - Gb - G - Ab - A - Bb - B Major Thirds
C - E - Ab
C - D - E - Gb - Ab - Bb C - Eb - Gb - A Db - F - A
Whole Steps
Db - Eb - F - G - A - B Minor Thirds Db - E - G - Bb D - Gb - Bb
D - F - Ab - B Eb - G - B
Mixolydian Scales
Dorian Scales
Melodic Minor Scales and Arpeggios
C Minor
F Minor
Bb Minor
Eb Minor
Ab Minor
Db Minor
Gb Minor
B Minor
A Minor
D Minor
G Minor
The Blues
Blues in Bb
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
I7 IV7 I7
Eb7 Bb7
IV7 I7
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
II-7 V7 I7 V7
Blues in Eb
Eb7 Ab7 Eb7
Ab7 Eb7
F-7 Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Blues in F
F7 Bb7 F7
Bb7 F7
G-7 C7 F7 C7
Blues Heads
"C" Jam Blues
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Bb7
C-7 F7 Bb7
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
3
Blue Monk
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Eº7 Bb7
3
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
Blues Piano "Comping"
Simple Pattern
Eb7
Bb7
C-7
F7 Bb7
F7
Mix and vary these rhythms and chord voicings to create your own blues comping. Don't limit yourself to the options here --
listen to recordings to find new possibilities. Some things to notice:
> The left hand almost always plays scale degrees 3 and 7. Generally avoid the root when playing with a bass player.
> Notice how each chord "flows" into the next without having to move your hand too much. Try to always look for
smooth voice-leading when constructing your chords.
> More advanced players will often anticipate the chord change instead of following it (see pickup to bar 2 below)
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Bb7
5-note voicing
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
Blues Bass Lines
Simple Bass Line
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Bb7
F7
C-7 F7 Bb7
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Bb7
C-7
F7
Bb7
F7
Bb7 Eb7 Bb7
Eb7 Bb7
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
Blues Scales
C Blues F Blues
1 b3 4 #4 5 b7 8
Bb Blues Eb Blues
Ab Blues Db Blues
F# Blues B Blues
E Blues A Blues
D Blues G Blues
The Blues Scale can be a dangerous weapon. Do not overuse it! Remember that the Blues Scale can be
used with surprisingly excellent results on tunes that do not follow the blues form, particularly rock and funk songs.
Eb7 Bb7
IV7 I7
C-7 F7 Bb7 F7
II-7 V7 I7 V7
Modes of the Major Scale
Ionian (major) C^7
I
"avoid" note
D-7
Dorian
II
Esus(b9)
Phrygian
III
b9
F^7(#11)
Lydian
IV
#11
Mixolydian
G7
V
"avoid" note
A-b6
Aeolian (natural minor)
VI
BØ7
Locrian
VII
b9 b5
(transpose into all 12 keys)
Modes of the Melodic Minor Scale
Major-minor C-(^7)
I
Dsusb9
II
b9
Eb^7(#5)
Lydian Augmented
III
#4 #5
F7(#11)
Lydian Dominant
IV
#11
C-(^7)/G
V
AØ7
Half-diminished / Locrian #2
VI
b5 b6
B7alt
Diminished whole-tone / Altered / Superlocrian
VII
b9 #9 #11 b13
(transpose into all 12 keys)
Modal Jazz -- Cantaloupe Island
Herbie Hancock
Medium Rock
F-7 F-7
INTRO HEAD
Db7
D-7
F-7
Modal jazz tunes have very few chords, but unlike the blues, there rarely is one chord or scale that works over
the entire form. Learn each scale carefully and always stay aware of the form so that you make the chord changes
at the right time. Modal tunes can be tricky because it is easy to lose track of the form. Try to look for certain
notes that work over multiple chord changes -- they can be used as a bridge between chords.
F-7
Db7
D-7
F-7
Cantaloupe Island Piano and Bass
Medium Rock
F-7
F-7
Db7
F-7
Like all jazz tunes, these piano compings and bass lines can be varied during the course of the piece, particularly
during improvised solos. However, be careful of taking too free an approach, as you would in a swing tune.
One of the most cohesive elements of a rock song is the rhythmic groove, and any variation on the standard
pattern should not disturb the fundamental groove. Start simple!
F-7 F-7
Db7
D-7
F-7
Tools for Improvisation
(add your own)
Notes
Rhythms
Dynamics
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Pentatonic Scales
C F Bb Eb
1 2 3 5 6 1 2 3 5 6
Ab Db Gb B
E A D G
Although a PENTATONIC scale can mean any scale with five notes, it usually refers to the scale made up of the first,
second, third, fifth, and sixth degrees of the major scale. Get used to thinking of pentatonics of a collection of notes
rather than a scale to be played from top to bottom. Look below at the modes of the pentatonic scale:
I II III IV V
"minor pentatonic"
Practice pentatonics in modes using exercises like the one below. Make sure to transpose into all 12 keys.
CMaj7
What pentatonic scales work over which chords:
>Over Major chords, use the pentatonics built on the 1 and 5 (2, 6, and 7 for altered sounds) scale degrees
>Over Dominant chords, use the pentatonics built on the 1, b3, and 4 (b7 for altered sounds) scale degrees
>Over Minor chords, use the pentatonics built on the b3, 4, and b7 scale degrees
Pentatonics work great on the blues! Look at the similarities between the minor pentatonic and the blues scales:
C7
Milestones Miles Davis
Medium-Up Swing
G-7
FMaj7
A-7
A-7
G-7
FMaj7
The ii-V7-I Progression
Found more often than any other type of progression in jazz (in almost every standard and over 80% of tunes) is the
ii-V7-I progression. It is called this because it is made up of the chords built on the 2nd scale degree, the 5th degree
and the root. The ii chord is always minor, the V7 chord is always dominant, and the I chord is always major. The
progression can also exist in smaller pieces, such as a ii-V7 or a V7-I. Take a look at some samples below:
D-7 G7 CMaj7 Eb-7 Ab7 DbMaj7 F#-7 B7 EMaj7
F-7 Bb7 EbMaj7 B-7 E7 AMaj7 G-7 C7 C#-7 F#7 Db7 GbMaj7
Try to figure out all of the possible ii-V7-I's. The Circle of 4ths can be very helpful here, but try to commit them to memory
as soon as possible. Playing on ii-V7-I's is easier than you might think. Remember that we play the Dorian mode on minor
seventh chords, the Mixolydian mode on dominant seventh chords, and the Ionian mode on major chords. With that in
mind, look at the collection of notes used to play a simple ii-V7-I in the key of C:
D-7
CMaj7 G7
All of the scales are the same! This works for any ii-V7-I progression. All of the notes that work over the entire progression
come from the major scale in the key of the ii-V7-I. However, while you can use the same collection of notes, it is still
extremely important to practice scales, arpeggios, and patterns for each chord in the ii-V7-I. After all, if you play the arpeggio
C-E-G-B over a G7 chord, it will not have the correct G dominant seventh sound, even though the notes are technically correct.
chord, which then becomes the 7th of the I
chord. This is called the 7th-3rd resolution
and is extremely important in learning to
effectively play ii-V7-I's. 7 3 7
D-7 G7 CMaj7
Try to play lines like the second example where
the 7th-3rd resolution is built into your musical
line. Smooth voice-leading is an important part
of constructing an exciting and intelligent jazz
solo. Notice how chord tones almost always
fall on strong beats (1 and 3) and the passing
tones that are not part of the chord are usually
on offbeats.
ii-V7-I Licks
Licks will be given in two keys. As always, make sure to learn them in
all twelve. Use the progressions sheet on the next page to help.
D-7 G7 CMaj7 C-7 F7 BbMaj7
D-7 G7 CMaj7 C-7 F7 BbMaj7
D-7 G7 CMaj7 C-7 F7 BbMaj7
D-7 G7 C-7 F7
D-7 G7 C-7 F7
D-7 G7 C-7 F7
D-7 G7 C-7 F7
D-7 G7 C-7 F7
ii-V7-I Chord Progressions
Practice all ii-V7-I and ii-V7 voicings over these sets of chord changes. Once you get more comfortable with the patterns,
start mixing up the progressions. You can play these chord progressions from top to bottom or right to left as well as
a completely random order.
Also, find tunes with lots of ii-V7-I's and ii-V7's to practice these voicings over. Good examples include Satin Doll,
Afternoon in Paris, Just Friends, and Recordame.
Digital Patterns
C7 F7 Bb7 Eb7
1 2 3 5 1 2 3 5
Ab7 Db7 Gb7 B7
E7 Ab7 D7 G7
Permutations of 1-2-3-5
1-3-5-7
This is an excellent way to learn the chord changes to new tunes.
1-7-6-5 Pick one pattern and repeat it over the entire tune until you feel
comfortable, and then change the pattern. Remember, John Coltrane's
impressive solo on Giant Steps is almost entirely built off of scales,
etc..... and the two patterns 1-2-3-5 and 1-3-5-7.
John Coltrane's Solo on Giant Steps
Fast swing
F#7
BMaj7 D7 GMaj7 Bb7 EbMaj7 A-7 D7
C#-7
1 1 2 1 3 1
GMaj7 Bb7
EbMaj7 F#7
BMaj7
F-7
Bb7
1 1 2 1 3
EbMaj7 Am7
GMaj7 D7
C#-7 F#7
3
3
F#7
BMaj7 F-7 Bb7 EbMaj7 C#-7
2 2
D7
BMaj7 D7
GMaj7
Bb7 EbMaj7 A-7
1 2
Bb7 EbMaj7
GMaj7 F#7 BMaj7 F-7 Bb7
1 1 2 2
C#-7 F#7
EbMaj7 A-7 D7
GMaj7
1 2
BMaj7 C#-7 F#7
F-7 Bb7 EbMaj7
3
2 1 2
3 types of patterns
GMaj7
Bb7
EbMaj7 EbMaj7
1. Arpeggios 2. 1-2-3-5 Patterns 3. Scales
The Minor ii-V7-I Progression
The Minor ii-V7-I progression is similar to the ii-V7-I that you are familiar with, except that its target chord
is minor instead of major. While the scale degrees for the chords are the same (II, V, and I), the qualities are
somewhat different. The ii chord is always half-diminished, the V7 chord is always altered, and the I chord
is minor. Here are some examples of a minor ii-V7-I progression:
DØ G7alt C-7 EbØ7 Ab7alt Db-7 F#Ø7 B7alt E-7
Sometimes, the ii chord is written as a -7(b5), which is essentially the same as half-diminished. The V7 chord
also sometimes has the alterations spelled out. And occasionally, the I chord can be major instead of minor.
Here are a few more examples of minor ii-V7-I progressions that you might see:
Unfortunately, all of these different chords cannot be accomodated with the same set of notes, as is the case
with the major ii-V7-I progression. Instead, you must use different modes of the melodic minor scale.
The ii chord is played by the melodic minor scale a minor third higher. The V7 chord is played by the
melodic minor scale one half-step higher. And finally, over the one chord you can use its own
melodic minor scale. Here are some examples (the arrows indicate which melodic minor scale it is):
DØ7 G7alt C-7
AØ7
D7alt G-7
Bb-7(b5) Ebalt Ab-7
Here are a few licks that will work over a standard minor ii-V7 progression. Make sure to transpose them into all twelve
keys and also practice them ending up on the minor and major I chords. Good tunes to start working on minor ii-V7-I's
include Stella by Starlight, What is This Thing Called Love, Autumn Leaves, and I'll Remember April.
DØ7 G7alt DØ7 G7alt
DØ7 G7alt DØ7 G7alt
Diminished and Whole-Tone Scales
The term "symmetrical scales" refers to scales that, instead of coming from any particular key, are artificially created by a regular repeating
pattern of whole and half steps. The most commonly used of these are the diminished and whole-tone scales, each of which are used often
in modern jazz.
There are two forms of diminished scale, one that uses the pattern WHWHWHWH, and one that is HWHWHWHW. In either case,
because the pattern is so repetitious, it means that there are really only 3 diminished scales as the same one can be used for 4 different keys.
Try playing the C diminished scale starting on Eb, Gb, and A. Notice how the pattern is exactly the same. Also notice how the Db WH
scale is exactly the same as the C HW scale, just starting one half-step higher. Even less to learn!
WH
used for C, Eb, Gb, A used for Db, E, G, Bb used for D, F, Ab, B
HW
The WH diminished scale gets played over diminished-7th chords. There are no "avoid" notes in diminished scales, so almost everything
you can play will sound good. The HW diminished scale can be played over 7(b9) chords, although you can also use it for chords with
more alterations, such as a #9 and a #11. Because the scale is so repetitive, there are endless licks that can be made up. Here are some
possibilities using the scale in the key of C. Be sure to transpose to the other keys:
3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3
The whole-tone scale is the other commonly used symmetrical scale. As its name implies, the scale is made up completely of whole steps.
As with the diminished scale, its repeating pattern allows the same scale to be used over different keys -- in this case, there are only two
whole-tone scales that you need to learn.
The whole-tone scale can be used over 7(#5) chords, 7+ or 7aug (which means augmented) chords, or as a chromatic alteration to a standard
dominant-7th chord. There are no avoid notes with this scale, everything sounds equally correct. Because there is so little contrast between
the intervals, the sound of the whole tone scale can be a bit outdated, and it is recommended that you use it in small doses to avoid boredom.
Here are the two whole-tone scales and a few licks to practice (again, remember to transpose):
C7(#5 Db7(#5)
Dealing with Complicated Chords
For most younger improvisers, chords with alterations present more of a challenge than they are used to handling. Usually
what ends up happening is the alteration gets skipped entirely and some form of major scale is played, which, of course,
leads to clashes with the rhythm section and "wrong" notes. Here is some simple formulas for playing the correct alterations
on 6 of the most common complicated chord types. In each case, the notes include the 3rd and 7th (the two most
important notes in any chord) and a major triad in a different key. This triad will cover all of the correct altered notes in
each chord.
#11 5 b5
9 #9 b9
b7
3 b7
3 b7
3
Play a triad one whole Play a triad a minor third Play a triad a tri-tone up
step up (D Major) up (Eb Major) (Gb Major)
1
#5
b9
13
9
b7
4
#9 3
b7
3 b7
3 5
1
Play a triad a minor sixth Play a triad a major sixth Play a triad a whole step down
up or major 3rd down up or a minor third down (Bb Major). Notice that there is
(Ab Major) (A Major) no third in a sus4 chord.
You can create your own exercises based on these triads to practice playing over altered chords. I recommend that
you try to commit the chart above to memory as soon as possible to avoid depending too much on written music. A few
possibilities for an exercise are shown below:
C7#11
3 3 3 3
3 3
3
1 3 5 8 5 3 9 #11 13 9 13 #11 etc. 3 3 3 3 3
3 3 3
3
3 3 3 3
3 3 3 3
3
3
3 3
3 3 3
The Circle of 4ths is useful in practicing jazz because it uses the most common chord movement: by
4ths. This can be found in the movement from the dominant to the tonic, and is the basic movement
of the ii-V7-I. Memorize this progression as soon as possible as you will see it time and time again,
both in jazz education and in many standards and other songs.
Practice scales, arpeggios, patterns, and anything else you can think of around the Circle of 4ths.
Try practicing major scales and arpeggios by only looking at the Circle and the number of accidentals
in each key instead of the notes of the scale itself
How to Read Chord Symbols
Symbol Name Chord Scale
C
C Major
C7 C Dominant Seven
Cm7
C-7
-or- C Minor Seven
C^7 -or- CMaj7 C Major Seven
C6 C Six
CØ7 C Half-Diminished Seven
Cº7 -or-
Cdim7
C Diminished Seven
C&7 -or-
Caug7
C Augmented Seven
C9
C Nine
C-11
C Minor Eleven
C7(b9)
C Seven Flat Nine
C^7(#11) C Major 7 Sharp Eleven
Csus7 C Suspended Seven
How to Learn Tunes
1. Listen to the song! Listen until you have the major details memorized. Try to not
only pay attention to the melody line (or your own instrument) but spend some time
focusing on each member of the rhythm section. Can you hear the chord changes?
Can you find the form? If you can, find multiple recordings.
2. Learn the melody, by memory if possible. Play along with your recording. If the
melody has a verse at the beginning, learn that too. Even better than reading the head
out of a fake book is learning it by ear from a recording.
3. Determine the form of the tune. Is it blues? AABA? ABAC? How many bars is it?
If it falls into one of these standard types, it will make your job much easier.
4. Learn the chord changes. Use a fake book if necessary, but be careful to find one that
is reliable. The Jamey Aebersold series of books is usually very accurate.
5. Work over the chord changes. Play scales, arpeggios, and digital patterns. Hold the
3rds and 7ths. Use a play-along record or a metronome to help you keep good time.
Can you say the 3rds and 7ths in time with the metronome?
6. Find the connections between the chord changes. Is there a section that is repeated in
a different key? Is there a series of dominant seventh chords descending in whole
steps? Where are the ii-V7-I’s?
7. If there are chords or sequences of chords that you find difficult, isolate them and
practice them individually. Use a play-along, computer software, or just play with a
metronome. Don’t be afraid to write in ideas in your music. Jazz masters such as
John Coltrane and Clifford Brown would spend hours practicing the exact licks that
they would later perform.
9. Learn the tune in a different key. Particularly if you have to play with singers, songs
may not always be in the expected key. Plus, it’s great ear training and you might be
surprised at how much differently you improvise in Db than C.
10. Are there lyrics? Learn them – it will make a difference how you approach both the
melody and the improvisation.
11. Finally, have fun! Learning jazz is serious work, but performing it is a thrill that you
are lucky to have experienced!
How to Transcribe from a Recording
Transcription can be one of the most valuable ways to learn jazz. All of the book
learning you can ever do will never compare to the amount of information you can get
from a single recording. While there are many books of transcribed solos available, the
real value is in doing the work, and you will not learn nearly as much by playing off of
someone else’s transcription. Here are some basic steps to follow:
1. Listen to the tune! Before ever picking up a pencil or your horn, you should be
intricately familiar with the tune and the solo you are about to work on. Listen
not just to the notes and rhythms, but also to dynamics, articulation, inflection,
and what the rhythm section is doing.
2. Plot out the form of the tune. How many choruses does the soloist play? How
many bars in each chorus? Is the form AABA? ABAC? Blues? Rhythm
Changes? Sketch out empty space in your manuscript book that shows the form,
drawing double bars often to delineate new sections. Make sure to leave enough
space to fill in the solo.
3. If you can get the chord changes, it will be extremely helpful. For more advanced
transcribers, try to figure them out by ear. If you are having a difficult time, look
up the changes to the tune in a fake book. Beware of inaccuracies—use a reliable
source!
5. Figure out the rhythm of the solo. You might want to sketch it into your
transcription or make notation on some scrap paper. If it helps, tap your hand or
your foot. Saying the beats out lead also helps in more complicated solos.
6. Figure out the pitches for the rhythms you just identified. You may need to play
the recording a number of times to hear them. A quick trigger finger on the
“Pause” button will help considerably. You will probably need your horn or a
piano to help here. If you are having trouble, look to the chord changes for
guidance. Does what you’re hearing fit?
8. Play your work with and without the recording. Memorize it. Analyze it.
Borrow licks and use them in your own solos. Learn them in all 12 keys. You
will be amazed at how much you can get out of each transcribed solo!
Most Significant Jazz Recordings
Cannonball Adderley - Cannonball & Coltrane Duke Ellington - Money Jungle Stan Kenton - Duet
Cannonball Adderley - Somethin' Else Bill Evans - Intermodulation Lee Konitz - Subconscious-Lee
Gene Ammons - Boss Tenors Bill Evans - Sunday at the Village Vanguard Wynton Marsalis - J Mood
Louis Armstrong - Genius of Louis Armstrong Bill Evans - Undercurrent Pat Metheny - Road to You
Louis Armstrong - Hot Fives and Hot Sevens Bill Evans - Waltz for Debby Charles Mingus - Mingus Ah Um
Chet Baker - Playboys Art Farmer - Modern Art Blue Mitchell - The Thing to Do
Count Basie - & Joe Williams Ella Fitzgerald - Jazz Masters 6 Hank Mobley - Soul Station
Count Basie - The Best of Count Basie Big Band Carl Fontana - 5 Star Ed. Hank Mobley - The Turnaround!
Sidney Bechet - Louis Armstrong & Sidney Bechet Carl Fontana - The Great Fontanaa Modern Jazz Quartet - European Concert
Bix Beiderbecke - The Bix Beiderbecke Story Red Garland - Groovy Thelonious Monk - Brilliant Corners
Art Blakey - A Night at Birdland, Vol. 1&2 Erroll Garner - Concert by the Sea Thelonious Monk - With John Coltrane
Art Blakey - Moanin' Stan Getz - For Musicians Only Wes Montgomery - Full House
Art Blakey - Ugetsu Stan Getz - Stan Getz and Bill Evans Wes Montgomery - Incredible Jazz Guitar
Clifford Brown - Brown/Roach Inc. Joao Gilberto - Stan Getz and Astrud Gilberto Wes Montgomery - Smokin at the Half Note
Clifford Brown - More Study in Brown Dizzy Gillespie - Duets Lee Morgan - Cornbread
Clifford Brown - Study in Brown Dizzy Gillespie - Groovin' High Lee Morgan - The Sidewinder
Ray Brown - Don't Forget the Blues Dizzy Gillespie - Jazz at Massey Hall Jelly Roll Morton - The King of New Orleans Jazz
Dave Brubeck - Time Out Dizzy Gillespie - Sonny Side Up Gerry Mulligan - Walkin' Shoes
Kenny Burrell - & John Coltrane Benny Goodman - Carnegie Hall Concert - 1938 Oliver Nelson - Blues and the Abstract Truth
Paul Chambers - Chambers Music Dexter Gordon - Ballads Charlie Parker - Bird & Diz
June Christy - The Misty Miss Christy Grant Green - Born to be Blue Charlie Parker - Now's the Time
June Christy - Something Cool Grant Green - Feelin' the Spirit Charlie Parker - The Dial Sessions
Sonny Clark - Leapin' and Lopin' Grant Green - Idle Moments Oscar Peterson - Plays Count Basie
Ornette Coleman - Free Jazz Johnny Griffin - A Blowin' Session Bud Powell - The Amazing, Vol. 1
Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come Johnny Griffin - Introducing Bud Powell - The Genius Of
John Coltrane - & Johnny Hartman Slide Hampton - World of Trombones Sonny Rollins - Newk's Time
John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Herbie Hancock - Empyrean Isles Sonny Rollins - Plus Four
John Coltrane - Ballads Herbie Hancock - Maiden Voyage Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus
John Coltrane - Blue Train Herbie Hancock - The Prisoner Sonny Rollins - Tenor Madness
John Coltrane - Giant Steps Johnny Hartman - I Just Dropped By to Say Hello Frank Rosolino - Free for All
John Coltrane - My Favorite Things Coleman Hawkins - Body and Soul Wayne Shorter - Speak No Evil
Chick Corea - Light as a Feather Joe Henderson - In 'N Out Horace Silver - Blowin' the Blues Away
Chick Corea - Now he Sings, Now he Sobs Joe Henderson - Inner Urge Horace Silver - Cape Verdean Blues
Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Joe Henderson - Mode for Joe Horace Silver - Song for My Father
Miles Davis - Cookin' Joe Henderson - Lush Life Bessie Smith - Nobody's Blues but Mine
Miles Davis - Kind of Blue Joe Henderson - Page One Jimmy Smith - Back at the Chicken Shack
Miles Davis - Milestones Woody Herman - Keeper of the Flame Johnny Smith - Moonlight in Vermont
Miles Davis - Miles Smiles Earl Hines - Louis Armstrong and Earl Hines Sonny Stitt - Constellation
Miles Davis - My Funny Valentine Billie Holiday - The Billie Holiday Story Art Tatum - The Tatum Solo Masterpieces
Miles Davis - Relaxin' Freddie Hubbard - Hub Tones Stanley Turrentine - Sugar
Miles Davis - 'Round About Midnight Freddie Hubbard - Open Sesame McCoy Tyner - The Real McCoy
Miles Davis - Seven Steps to Heaven Freddie Hubbard - Ready for Freddie Sarah Vaughan - Live in Japan
Miles Davis - Steamin' Freddie Hubbard - Red Clay Nancy Wilson - With Cannonball Adderley
Eric Dolphy - Out to Lunch Bobby Hutcherson - Oblique Larry Young - Unity
Kenny Dorham - Una Mas Milt Jackson - Bags Meets Wes Lester Young - The Pres. Plays w/ Oscan Peterson
Duke Ellington - Hi-Fi Ellington Uptown J.J. Johnson - The Eminent, Vol. 1
Look for USED jazz CD's! They can be found in stores and on the Internet!
Important Jazz Musicians
TRUMPET
Nat Adderley, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Bix Beiderbecke, Wayne Bergeron, Terrance Blanchard, Randy Brecker, Clifford Brown, Don Cherry, Miles Davis, Kenny Dorham,
Dave Douglas, Harry “Sweets” Edison, Roy Eldridge, Jon Faddis, Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, Tim Hagans, Roy Hargrove, Tom Harrell, Freddie Hubbard, Ingrid Jensen,
Thad Jones, Wynton Marsalis, Lee Morgan, Michael Phillip Mossman, Fats Navarro, Joe “King” Oliver, Nicholas Payton, Claudio Roditi, Red Rodney, Arturo Sandoval, Woody
Shaw, Bobby Shew, Marvin Stamm, Byron Stripling, Clark Terry, Cootie Williams
TROMBONE
Bob Brookmeyer, David Baker, Robin Eubanks, John Fedchock, Carl Fontana, Curtis Fuller, Urbie Green, Slide Hampton, Conrad Herwig, J.J. Johnson, Albert Mangelsdorf,
Grachan Moncur III, “Tricky Sam” Nanton, Edward “Kid Ory”, Bill Reichenbach, Frank Rosolino, Jack Teagarden, Juan Tizol, Steve Turre, Bill Watrous, Phil Wilson, Kai
Winding
TUBA
Bill Barber, Howard Johnson, Rich Matteson
ALTO SAXOPHONE
Cannonball Adderley, Benny Carter, Ornette Coleman, Hank Crawford, Paquito D’Rivera, Paul Desmond, Eric Dolphy, Lou Donaldson, Gary Foster, Kenny Garrett, Bunky
Green, Johnny Hodges, Lee Konitz, Eric Marienthal, Jackie McLean, Roscoe Mitchell, Lanny Morgan, Oliver Nelson, Greg Osby, Charlie Parker, Art Pepper, David Sanborn,
Sonny Stitt, Bobby Watson, Phil Woods
TENOR SAXOPHONE
Eric Alexander, Gene Ammons, Bob Berg, Michael Brecker, Don Byas, Ed Calle, George Coleman, John Coltrane, Eddie “Lockjaw” Davis, Joe Farrell, Frank Foster, Von
Freeman, Stan Getz, Benny Golson, Dexter Gordon, Johnny Griffin, Steve Grossman, Billy Harper, Coleman Hawkins, Jimmy Heath, Joe Henderson, Clifford Jordan, Harold
Land, Dave Liebman, Charles Lloyd, Joe Lovano, Branford Marsalis, Don Menza, Bob Mintzer, Hank Mobley, James Moody, Chris Potter, Joshua Redman, Sonny Rollins, David
Sanchez, Pharoah Sanders, Archie Shepp, Wayne Shorter, Zoot Sims, Sonny Stitt, Stanley Turrentine, Ben Webster, Walt Weiskopf, Lester Young
BARITONE SAXOPHONE
Pepper Adams, Nick Brignola, Harry Carney, James Carter, Serge Chaloff, Ronny Cuber, Gerry Mulligan, Gary Smulyan
SOPRANO SAXOPHONE
Sidney Bechet, Jane Ira Bloom, John Coltrane, Jan Gabarek, Kenny Garrett, Steve Lacy, Dave Liebman, Branford Marsalis, Wayne Shorter, Grover Washington
CLARINET
Paquito D’Rivera, Eddie Daniels, Buddy DeFranco, Johnny Dodds, Eric Dolphy (bass clarinet), Pete Fountain, Benny Goodman, Jimmy Guiffre, Woody Herman Pee Wee Russell,
Artie Shaw, Tony Scott
FLUTE
Joe Farrell, Raashan Roland Kirk, Yusef Lateef, Hubert Laws, Dave Liebman, Herbie Mann, James Moody, James Newton, Joaquim Oliveros, Lew Tabakin, Dave Valentin, Frank
Wess
GUITAR
John Abercrombie, George Benson, Kenny Burrell, Charlie Byrd, Charlie Christian, Larry Coryell, Al DiMeola, Herb Ellis, Tal Farlow, Freddie Green, Grant Green, Jim Hall,
Stanley Jordan, Barney Kessel, Earl Klugh, Russell Malone, Pat Martino, John McLaughlin, Pat Metheny, Wes Montgomery, Mary Osborne, Joe Pass, Bucky Pizzarelli, John
Pizzarelli, Jimmy Raney, Django Reinhardt, John Scofield, Mike Stern
PIANO
Toshiko Akiyoshi, Monty Alexander, Kenny Barron, Count Basie, Shelly Berg, Paul Bley, Joann Brackeen, Dave Brubeck, Nat “King” Cole, Chick Corea, Dorothy Donnegan,
Kenny Drew, George Duke, Duke Ellington, Bill Evans, Victor Feldman, Tommy Flanagan, Hal Galper, Red Garland, Benny Green, Herbie Hancock, Lil Hardin-Armstrong,
Barry Harris, Hampton Hawes, Earl Hines, Ahmad Jamal, Bob James, Keith Jarrett, Hank Jones, Wynton Kelly, Kenny Kirkland, John Lewis, Ramsey Lewis, Jim McNeely,
Marian McPartland, Brad Meldau, Mulgrew Miller, Thelonious Monk, Phineas Newborn, Danilo Perez, Oscar Peterson, Michel Petrucciani, Bud Powell, Marcus Roberts, Ellen
Rowe, George Shearing, Horace Silver, Art Tatum, Billy Taylor, Bobby Timmons, Lennie Tristano, McCoy Tyner, Chucho Valdez, Fats Waller, Cedar Walton, Kenny Werner,
Mary Lou Williams, Teddy Wilson, Joe Zawinul
ORGAN
Joey DeFrancesco, Charles Earland, Larry Goldings, Richard “Groove” Holmes, Hank Marr, Jack McDuff, Jimmy McGriff, Jimmy Smith, Lonnie Smith, Larry Young
BASS
Jimmy Blanton, Ray Brown, Ron Carter, Paul Chambers, Stanley Clarke, John Clayton, Bob Cranshaw, Richard Davis, Jimmy Garrison, Eddie Gomez, Larry Grenadier, Charlie
Haden, Percy Heath, Milt Hinton, Dave Holland, Marc Johnson, Sam Jones, Scott LaFaro, Cecil McBee, Christian McBride, Marcus Miller, Charles Mingus, George Mraz, Walter
Page, Jaco Pastorius, John Patitucci, Gary Peacock, Heils Henning, Orsted Pedersen, Oscar Pettiford, Rufus Reid, Slam Stewart, Steve Swallow, Miroslav Vitous, Buster Williams,
Victor Wooten
DRUMS
Louie Bellson, Ignacio Berroa, Cindy Blackman, Ed Blackwell, Art Blakey, Terry Lynn Carrington, Sid Catlett, Joe Chambers, Kenny Clarke, Jimmy Cobb, Billy Cobham, Steve
Davis, Jack DeJohnette, Baby Dodds, Peter Erskine, Al Foster, Steve Gadd, Sonny Greer, Louis Haynes, Roy Haynes, Albert Heath, Billy Higgins, Steve Houghton, Elvin Jones,
Jo Jones, Philly Jo Jones, Connie Kay, Gene Krupa, Mel Lewis, Victor Lewis, Shelly Manne, Joe Morello, Paul Motian, Adam Nussbaum, Sonny Payne, Buddy Rich, Danny
Richmond, Max Roach, Zutty Singleton, Ed Soph, Grady Tate, Ed Thigpen, Peter Washington, Chick Webb, Dave Weckl, Lenny White, Tony Williams, Sam Woodyard
VIBRAPHONE
Gary Burton, Terry Gibbs, Lionel Hampton, Bobby Hutcherson, Milt Jackson, Mike Mainieri, Steve Nelson, Red Norvo, Tito Puente, Cal Tjador
PERCUSSION
Alex Acuna, Don Alias, Ray Barretto, Candido Camero, Luis Conte, Paulino de Costa, Giovanni Hidalgo, Airto Moreira, Tito Puente, Bobby Sanabria, Mongo Santamaria
VIOLIN
Regina Carter, Stephane Grappelli, Ray Nance, Jean Luc Ponty, Randy Sabine, Stuff Smith, Joe Venuti,
MALE VOCALISTS
Ernie Andrews, Louis Armstrong, Chet Baker, Tony Bennett, George Benson, Ray Charles, Freddy Cole, Nat “King” Cole, Harry Connick Jr, Bob Dorough, Billy Eckstine, Kurt
Elling, Giacomo Gates, Joao Gilberto, Miles Griffith, Johnny Hartman, Jon Hendricks, Al Jarreau, Eddie Jefferson, Kevin Mahogany, Bobby McFerrin, Mark Murphy, Lou Rawls,
Frank Sinatra, Clark Terry, Mel Torme, Joe Williams
FEMALE VOCALISTS
Karrin Allyson, Leny Andrade, Carmen Bradford, Dee Dee Bridgewater, Betty Carter, June Christy, Rosemary Clooney, Natalie Cole, Madeline Eastman, Ella Fitzgerald, Nnenna
Freelon, Astrud Gilberto, Billie Holliday, Shirley Horn, Nancy King, Diana Krall, Cleo Laine, Peggy Lee, Abbey Lincoln, Carmen McRae, Jane Monheit, Anita O’Day, Dianne
Reeves, Vanesa Rubin, Diane Schuur, Janis Segal, Bessie Smith, Sarah Vaughan, Dinah Washington, Cassandra Wilson, Nancy Wilson
VOCAL GROUPS
The Bobs, Boca Livre, The Four Freshman, The Hi-Lo’s, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Lambert, Hendricks, & Ross, Les Doubles Six, M-Pact, Manhattan Transfer, New York
Voices, Rare Silk, The Ritz, Singers Unlimited, The Swingle Singers, Vocal Sampling, Voice Trek, Take 6, Toxic Audio, Vox One, Zap Mama
BIG BANDS
Toshiko Akiyoshi/Lew Tabackin Big Band, Count Basie, Bob Brookmeyer, Cab Calloway, Carnegie Hall Jazz Orchestra, Benny Carter, Clayton-Hamilton Jazz Orchestra, Jimmy
Dorsey, Tommy Dorsey, Billy Eckstine, Duke Ellington, Gil Evans, Maynard Ferguson, Dizzy Gillespie, Benny Goodman, Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band, Fletcher
Henderson, Woody Herman, Bill Holman, Harry James, Quincy Jones, Thad Jones/Mel Lewis, Stan Kenton, Gene Krupa, Lincoln Center Jazz Orchestra, Rob McConnell’s Boss
Brass, Glenn Miller, Bob Mintzer, Benny Moten, Sammy Nestico, Rob Parton, Don Redman, Buddy Rich, Doc Severinsen, Artie Shaw, Maria Schneider, Claude Thornhill, U.S.
Air Force Airmen of Note, U.S. Army Blues, U.S. Army Jazz Ambassadors, U.S. Navy Commodores, Paul Whiteman,
Important Tunes to Know
BLUES STANDARDS LATIN
"C" Jam Blues A Fine Romance Corcovado
Countdown Misty
Ornithology Naima
PUBLICATIONS
Down Beat Magazine: http://www.downbeat.com
Jazz Improv Magazine: http://www.jazzimprov.com
Jazz Times: http://www.jazztimes.com
SHOPPING
Double Time Records: http://www.doubletimejazz.com
Free Sheet Music: http://www.freesheetmusic.net
EJazzLines: http://www.ejazzlines.com
Jamey Aebersold Jazz: http://www.jazzbooks.com
Jazz Record Mart: http://www.jazzrecordmart.com
PG Music (Band-In-A-Box): http://www.pgmusic.com
Sher Music: http://www.shermusic.com
Sibelius: http://www.sibelius.com
INSTRUMENT SPECIFIC
International Association of Bassists: http://www.instituteofbass.com
International Trombone Association: http://www.ita-web.org
International Trumpet Guild: http://www.trumpetguild.org
Jazz Guitar Discussion Group: http://www.jazzguitargroup.com
Jazz Guitar Online: http://www.jazzguitar.be
Learn Jazz Piano: http://www.learnjazzpiano.com
Online Drum Lessons: http://www.onlinedrumlessons.com
Sax on the Web: http://www.saxontheweb.net
Trumpet Herald: http://www.trumpetherald.com
Play-a-long CD Track Listing
1. Blues in (concert) Bb - Medium
2. Blues in Bb - Fast
3. Blues in Bb - Bossa
4. Blues in Eb - Medium
5. Blues in Eb - Fast
6. Blues in F - Medium
7. Blues in F - Funk
8. Cantaloupe Island
9. So What
10. Impressions
11. Milestones
12. ii-V7-I Patterns
13. ii-V7 Patterns
14. Recordame
15. Ladybird
16. Just Friends